Method and device for off-line testing of electric motors

ABSTRACT

A method for off-line testing of an electric motor is disclosed. The motor having at least one stator winding, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis. The method includes applying a periodic test signal to the at least one stator winding; collecting first measuring data, related to a physical quantity of the at least one stator winding while the rotor is being rotated about the rotation axis, from one or more waveform periods of the test signal, detecting first peak values of the first measuring data; forming second measuring data based on the first detected peak values, detecting second peak values of the second measuring data for the at least one stator winding; determining a mutual relationship between the at least a portion of the second peak values; and, providing, if the mutual relationship deviates from a predetermined relationship, a signal indicating a fault in the rotor. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the disclosed methods.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/664,069, filed on Apr. 8, 2010, which claims the benefit ofPCT/SE08/00392, filed on Jun. 12, 2008, which claims priority fromSwedish Application No. 0701428-5 filed on Jun. 12, 2007, which areincorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detectingrotor and stator faults in electric motors, such as induction motors andasynchronous motors.

BACKGROUND ART

Electric motors have a wide field of application. In industrialproduction, for example, electric motors are used to drive pumps,conveyor belts, overhead cranes, fans, etc. An electric motor, adaptedfor use in a specific application, offers the user many advantages,mainly owing to its long life and limited need for maintenance. Onebasic requirement for a long electric motor life is that the rotor orstator in the electric motor does not have any faults or defects. Commontypes of rotor faults are, for example, breaks or cracks/fractures in arotor bar, excessively high resistance in welded or soldered joints inthe rotor, excessively large air cavities (as a result of the casting ofthe rotor) and rotor offset in air gaps relatively to the stator. Commontypes of stator faults are, for example, insulation faults between theturns of a winding, insulation faults between windings in the samephase, insulation faults between windings in different phases,insulation faults between windings and earth/motor casing, contaminatedwindings (i.e. impurities such as moisture, dust, or insulation charreddue to overheating), an open turn of a winding in a delta-connectedmotor as well as contact problems between the winding ends and externalconnections.

When testing electric three-phase motors, it is common to measurecurrent fundamental components during operation and to comparemeasurement data from the three phases. Usually, special sensors areused in these measurements to obtain measurement data.

It is known that it is possible to perform both on-line measurements andoff-line measurements. Measuring methods carried out during operation(on-line measurements) are sensitive to disturbances in the power grid,i.e. fundamentals generated by other machines (for example switchedpower supply units, fluorescent tube fittings, etc.) that are connectedto the same power grid. These disturbances cause erroneous measuringresults and may even make measurements on the electric motor impossible.

When testing stators off-line according to the prior art, a powerfulsurge voltage with high energy content is supplied to the motor,following which the exponentially decaying response obtained is analysedto identify possible faults in the stator. This measuring method hasmany disadvantages, such as it may initiate or accelerate/bring tocompletion incipient insulation failures; it requires time-consuming andcomplex calculations and interpretations/analyses; it causes problems ofpulse propagation in the winding due to L and C effects; it requiresbulky and heavy equipment associated with transport/installationproblems; and it is an expensive method. WO 2005/106514 discloses amethod for safe checking of electric motors. This method disclosesmeasuring a physical quantity, such as current (I), inductance (L) orimpedance (Z), of the stator winding while the rotor being rotated aboutan rotation axis. Thereby, periodic measuring data relating to thephysical quantity is obtained, and measuring data relating to at leasttwo periods of the periodic measuring data is collected. For themajority of all three-phase asynchronous motors, a sinusoidalrelationship between the rotor position and the physical quantity (I, Lor Z) is present, being symmetric about the X-axis in each phase.According to the method, the symmetry between at least the fundamentalsof two or more half-cycles of the collected measuring data is compared.Asymmetry in the measuring data indicates a rotor and/or stator fault.

When performing the method disclosed in WO 2005/106514, the rotor has tobe rotated in fixed steps of equal size or by continuous rotation at aconstant rate. If the rotor is not rotated in fixed steps or at constantrate, asymmetry in the measuring data occurs. Normally, this asymmetrywould indicate a rotor/stator fault, but could also be due tonon-continuous rotation. Therefore, it is important that the rotor isbeing rotated in fixed steps or by continuous rotation for obtaining areliable result. Since it may be difficult under some circumstances toobtain a perfect rotation of the rotor, either by continuous rotation orat fixed steps, especially when rotating the rotor by hand, thisrequirement may be hard to fulfill for the above described techniqueunder these circumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement ofthe above techniques and prior art.

A particular object is to provide a method and apparatus facilitatingmeasuring and analysing/detecting rotor and stator faults, and thateliminates a source of error, thus obtaining a more accurate result whenperforming the inventive method and using the inventive apparatus.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for measuring andanalysing/detecting rotor and stator faults eliminating or reducing theneed for rotating the rotor at a constant rate or by fixed and equalsteps.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for off-linetesting of an electric motor, which motor comprises at least one statorwinding, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis, is provided. Themethod comprises:

-   -   applying a periodical test signal to the at least one stator        winding,    -   collecting first measuring data, related to a physical quantity        of the at least one stator winding while the rotor is being        rotated about the rotation axis, from one or more waveform        periods of the test signal,    -   detecting first peak values of the first measuring data,    -   forming second measuring data based on said first detected peak        values,    -   detecting second peak values of said second measuring data for        the at least one stator winding,    -   determining a spread of at least a portion of said second peak        values,    -   providing, if said spread exceeds a predetermined threshold, a        signal indicating a fault in said rotor.

An advantage of the above described method is that the rotor no longerhas to be rotated at a constant rate or with fixed and equal steps asrequired in the prior art. Since the symmetry of the second measuringdata no longer has to be compared as in the prior art, no continuousrotation is required, thus simplifying the inventive method. In theinventive method, only the peak values of the second measuring data haveto be determined for indicating a fault in the rotor during the testing.

Additionally, the source of error occurring in the prior art, due to theasymmetry caused by non-continuous rotation of the rotor, has beeneliminated or reduced, resulting in a more reliable test result.

Further, it is possible, when using the inventive method, to identifythat when a spread of at least a portion of said second peak values isoccurring, the fault is in the rotor. Thereby, no additional testing hasto be performed in order to clarify whether the fault is present in thestator or the rotor. Thus, the inventive method is time-saving and moreprecise than the prior art solutions.

The physical quantity may be an inductance (L) of the stator winding. Anadvantage of measuring the inductance of the stator winding is thatcommon stator and rotor faults result in a change of the inductance forthat specific winding. Thereby, the inductance of the stator winding canbe used to indicate a stator/rotor fault. By measuring the inductance ofthe stator winding, the internal resistance of the stator windings doesnot have to be taken into account.

The physical quantity may be an impedance (Z) of the stator winding. Anadvantage of measuring the impedance of the stator winding is thatcommon stator and rotor faults result in a change of the impedance forthat specific winding. Thereby, the impedance of the stator winding canbe used to indicate a stator/rotor fault. It is normally very simple tomeasure the impedance of the stator windings, which is advantageous whenthe internal resistance of the windings are known.

The electric motor may be a three-phase asynchronous motor.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for off-linetesting of an electric motor, which motor comprises a stator with atleast two stator windings, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis,is provided. The method comprises:

-   -   applying a periodical test signal to the at least two stator        windings,    -   collecting first measuring data, related to a physical quantity        of the at least two stator windings while the rotor is being        rotated about the rotation axis, from one or more waveform        periods of the test signal,    -   detecting first peak values of the first measuring data for each        of said stator windings,    -   forming second measuring data based on said first detected peak        values for each of said stator windings,    -   forming a mean value of the second measuring data for each of        said stator windings,    -   providing, if said mean values differ from a predetermined        pattern, a signal indicating a fault in said stator.

An advantage of the above described method is that the rotor no longerhas to be rotated at a constant rate or with fixed and equal steps asrequired in the prior art. Since the symmetry of the second measuringdata no longer has to be compared as in the prior art, no continuousrotation is required, thus simplifying the inventive method. In theinventive method, only the mean values of the second measuring data haveto be determined for indicating a fault in the stator during thetesting.

Additionally, the source of error occurring in the prior art, due to theasymmetry caused by non-continuous rotation of the rotor, has beeneliminated or reduced, resulting in a more reliable test result.

Further, it is possible, when using the inventive method, to identifythat when the mean values differs from a predetermined pattern, thefault is in the stator. Thereby, no additional testing has to beperformed in order to clarify whether the fault is present in the statoror the rotor. Thus, the inventive method is time-saving and more precisethan the prior art solutions.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus for off-linetesting of an electric motor, which motor comprises at least one statorwinding, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis, is provided. Theapparatus comprises:

-   -   means for applying a periodical test signal to the at least one        stator winding,    -   means for collecting first measuring data, related to a physical        quantity of the at least one stator winding while the rotor is        being rotated about the rotation axis, from one or more waveform        periods of the test signal,    -   means for detecting first peak values of the first measuring        data,    -   means for forming second measuring data based on said first        detected peak values,    -   means for detecting second peak values of said second measuring        data for the at least one stator winding,    -   means for determining a spread of at least a portion of said        second peak values,    -   means for providing, if said spread exceeds a predetermined        threshold, a signal indicating a fault in said rotor.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, an apparatus for off-linetesting of an electric motor, which motor comprises a stator with atleast two stator windings, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis,is provided. The apparatus comprises:

-   -   means for applying a periodical test signal to the at least two        stator windings,    -   means for collecting first measuring data, related to a physical        quantity of the at least two stator windings while the rotor is        being rotated about the rotation axis, from one or more waveform        periods of the test signal,    -   means for detecting first peak values of the first measuring        data for each of said stator windings,    -   means for forming second measuring data based on said first        detected peak values for each of said stator windings,    -   means for forming a mean value of the second measuring data for        each of said stator windings,    -   means for providing, if said mean values differ from a        predetermined pattern, a signal indicating a fault in said        stator.

The two apparatus incorporate all the advantages of the methods, whichpreviously have been discussed. Whereby, the previous discussion isapplicable also for the inventive apparatus, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which show an embodiment of theinvention as a non-limiting example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a measuringdevice according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for off-line testing of an electricmotor according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for off-line testing of an electricmotor according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are schematic representation of detected second peakvalues and mean values formed thereof for three stator windings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A system in which the present invention may be applied will first bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to the block diagram in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of ameasuring device 13 according to the present invention will bedescribed. The measuring device 13 comprises a control unit 1, whichpreferably comprise: a CPU 1 a, a program memory 1 b, a data memory 1 c,an ND converter 1 d, a voltage reference 1 e, a first timer (A) 1 f, asecond timer (B) 1 g and a hardware multiplier 1 h.

The measuring device 13 may comprise a screen 2, which is connected tothe control unit 1.

The measuring device 13 comprises a waveform generator 3 connected tothe control unit, which preferably comprises: a D/A converter 3 a, areconstruction filter 3 b and a power amplifier 3 c.

The measuring device 13 comprises measuring amplifiers 4 in twochannels, which preferably comprise: adjustable amplifiers 4 a,rectifiers 4 b, zero detectors 4 c and level shifters 4 d.

The measuring device 13 comprises a switching unit 5 for providinginputs and outputs to a test object 10. The switching unit, which isconnected to an input of the measuring amplifier 4, preferably comprisesrelays 5 a and analogue multiplexers 5 b.

Furthermore, the measuring device 13 comprises a reference measuringresistor 6, which is connected between the switching unit 5 and an inputof the measuring amplifier 4.

The measuring device 13 comprises a power supply device 8, whichpreferably comprises one or more batteries 8 a, battery charging device8 c, one or more voltage regulators 8 c and an LCD biasing generator.

Moreover, the measuring device preferably comprises one or more analogueinputs 9 a and digital inputs 9 b. The control unit 1 monitors andcontrols the screen 2, the waveform generator 3, the measuringamplifiers 4, the switching unit 5, the reference measuring resistor 6,the high-voltage generator 7 and the power supply device 8, inaccordance with program instructions stored in the memory 1 b, andrecords and calculates output data according to given programinstructions, the result may be illustrated on the screen 2. Morespecifically, the control unit 1 controls the waveform generator 3 togenerate a sinusoidal signal, whose frequency is preferably in the rangeof 25-800 Hz and whose voltage is preferably 1 V rms. The generatedvoltage is applied to the test object 10 via power amplifiers 3 c andthe switching unit 5. The current thus generated causes a voltage acrossthe measuring resistor 6, the measuring amplifier 4 being controlled tomeasure the voltage across the measuring resistor 6 and the test object,respectively.

A first input of a first zero-crossing detector 4 c is connected to theoutput of the waveform generator 3. The output represents the phasedisplacement of the voltage across the test object 10. A secondzero-crossing detector 4 c is connected to the output of the amplifier 4a which is adjustable to match the measuring resistor 6, and its outputsignal represents the phase displacement of the current through the testobject 10, thereby measuring an phase angle Fi.

The above connection allows the current (I) through the test object 10to be calculated. It also allows the impedance (Z), inductance (L) andresistance (R) to be calculated. The phase angle Fi is also measured.The program instructions required by the control unit 1 to carry out theabove measurements/calculations are stored in the memory 1 b.

In a rotor test according to the present invention, 1 the rotor positioninfluences the measured value of the current (I), the impedance (Z), theinductance (L) and the phase angle (Fi) in the stator windings. Themeasured values vary between min/max, depending on the position of therotor relatively to the stator. By measuring any of I, Z, L and Fi in atleast one stator winding during rotation of the rotor, determining firstpeak values of the measured quantity, forming second measuring data,then determining peak values from the second measuring data, and finallydetermining a spread of at least a portion of the second peak values,any rotor unbalance present will be detected, i.e. if the spread of atleast a portion of the second peak values exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, an indication that there is a fault in the rotor will beprovided. Alternatively, a pattern of the at least a portion of thesecond peak values may be determined. As indicated above, the determinedvalues of the second peak values depend on the concentricity of therotor and any centering error will provide an envelope in the values ofthe second peak values. Such a concentric pattern may hence be detectedindicating a fault in the rotor.

In a rotor test, an angle sensor 11 may be connected to the shaft,wherein the measured value may be connected with the rotor position, theposition thereby being the controlling factor when e.g. presenting themeasurement results on the screen 2.

In a stator test according to the present invention, 1 the rotorposition influences the measured value of the current (I), the impedance(Z), the inductance (L) and the phase angle (Fi) in the stator windings.The measured values vary between min/max, depending on the position ofthe rotor relatively to the stator. By measuring any of I, Z, L and Fiin at least two stator winding during rotation of the rotor, determiningfirst peak values of the measured quantity for each stator winding,forming second measuring data, then determining peak values from thesecond measuring data for each stator winding, then forming a mean valuebased on said second detected peak values for each of the measuredstator windings, any deviance between the measured quantity in thestator windings will be detected. Measurements on a properly functioningstator will generate mean values of substantially equal magnitude.Consequently, if the mean values differ from a predetermined pattern, afault in the stator is present. Alternatively, a spread of the meanvalues may be detected, wherein a spread that exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, depending on e.g. the environmental conditions when themeasurements are performed, will indicate a fault in the stator. As willbe disclosed below, the patter may differ depending on the type of motorbeing tested.

Referring to the flow chart in FIG. 2, a measuring method according tothe present invention for indicating rotor faults will be described.

In step 200, the waveform generator 3 is started, thereby generating aperiodical test signal, preferably in the range of 25-800 Hz and 1 Vrms, and is connected via the power amplifier 3 c and the switching unit5 to the test object 10.

In step 201, the first measuring data, related to a physical quantitysuch as the current I, the impedance Z or the inductance L, is collectedmeanwhile the rotor is being rotated about the rotation axis. The firstmeasuring data is collected form one or more waveform periods of theapplied test signal. No uniform continuous rotation of the rotor isrequired for the inventive method.

In step 202, first peak values of the first measuring data collected instep 201 are detected.

In step 203, second measuring data are formed, based on the firstdetected peak values of the first measuring data. More specifically, inthis step, the first peak values are extracted to form second measuringdata.

In step 204, second peak values of the second measuring data formed instep 203 are detected.

In step 205, a spread or a pattern of at least a portion of the peakvalues of the second measuring data is determined for the at least onestator winding. The portion of the second peak values, used to determinethe spread or pattern, may be all positive values or all negativevalues, respectively. Alternatively, if the absolute values of thesecond peak values are used, the portion may be selected more freely,such as the first ten determined peak values, ten determined peak valuesdetected in the middle of the measured interval, every third determinedpeak value or any other portion of the determined second peak values.

In step 206, a signal indicating a fault in the rotor is provided, ifthe spread exceeds at predetermined threshold or if the pattern differsfrom a predetermined pattern. As mentioned above, the predeterminedthreshold is used to remove any undesired disturbance, errors inmeasurement any other variances. The signal may be transmitted to ascreen, and transformed to a visual representation, or the signal may betransformed in any other way in order to be communicated to a person, orcomputer, performing and/or monitoring the testing.

Referring to the flow chart in FIG. 3, a measuring method according tothe present invention for indicating stator faults will be described.

In step 300, the waveform generator 3 is started, thereby generating aperiodical test signal, preferably in the range of 25-800 Hz and 1 Vrms, and is connected via the power amplifier 3 c and the switching unit5 to the test object 10. The periodical test signal is applied to atleast two stator winding in case of testing the rotor, since datarelated to different stator windings later are compared.

In step 301, the first measuring data of the at least two statorwindings, related to a physical quantity such as the current I, theimpedance Z or the inductance L, is collected meanwhile the rotor isbeing rotated about the rotation axis. The first measuring data is beingcollected form'one or more waveform periods of the applied test signal.No continuous rotation of the rotor is required for the inventivemethod.

In step 302, first peak values of the first measuring data for eachstator winding, which are collected in step 301, are detected.

In step 303, second measuring data are formed, based on the firstdetected peak values for each stator winding. More specifically, in thisstep, the first peak values are extracted to form second measuring data.

In step 304, second peak values of the second measuring data formed instep 303 are detected.

In step 305, a mean value of the second peak values of the secondmeasuring data for each stator winding is formed.

In step 306, a mutual relationship between said mean values isdetermined.

In step 307, a signal indicating a fault in the stator is provided ifthe mutual relationship deviates from a predetermined relationship orpredetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern may, for a stator withordinary stator windings, be a spread of the mean values, exceeding apredetermined threshold value. For a stator with concentric windings,the predetermined pattern may be a step-like formation, wheredifferences of the mean values are uniform.

The signal may be transmitted to a screen, and transformed to a visualrepresentation, or the signal may be transformed in any other way inorder to be communicated to a person, or computer, performing and/ormonitoring the testing.

When applying the test signal the stator winding in step 200 and 300,the first measuring data in step 201 and 301 may be collected bymeasuring across the stator winding connections while the rotor beingrotated about the rotation axis.

The electric motor may be an three-phase asynchronous motor, or anothertype of motor suitable for testing according to the disclosed methods.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and B, a schematic representation of detectedsecond peak values 401 a-n are shown. The detected second peak values401 a-n of the stator winding AB are plotted in a diagram. Similarly,the detected second peak values for each of the stator BC and CA arealso plotted in the diagram. As shown in FIG. 4A, the peak values 401a-n have a mutual relationship in that they are of equal magnitude,which indicates that the rotor is properly functioning, i.e. apredetermined relationship indicating a properly functioning rotor maybe that the magnitude of the peak values are equal or that the peakvalues are arranged according to a predetermined pattern due to thedesign of the rotor. In contrast to the peak values shown in FIG. 4A,the peak values 404 a-n shown in FIG. 4B are not of equal magnitude butare spread somewhat from an expected value. The spread indicates thatthe rotor is not functioning properly, but may be arranged off centre inthe motor. Alternatively, the spread may be due to other rotor faults,such as cracks mentioned above.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a mean value 402 is formed of the detected secondpeak values for each stator winding AB, BC and CA and the mean values ofthe three stator windings are used in the inventive method fordetermining a mutual relationship or pattern. In FIG. 4A, the mutualrelationship is indicated in that no deviation between the mean valuesof the stator windings AB, BC and CA, respectively, is identified (or nodeviation exceeding a predetermined threshold or pattern is identified).Accordingly, the stator is properly functioning.

On the contrary, if a deviation is detected between the mean values ofthe stator windings AB, BC and CA, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4B, afault is present in the stator. The deviation may be a deviation from apredetermined pattern or the deviation may be a spread of the meanvalues between the stator windings.

By way of example, a measuring method for collecting the first andsecond measuring data mentioned in steps 201-204 and 301-304 above willnow be described in more detail.

The waveform generator 3 is started, thereby generating a periodicaltest signal, preferably in the range of 25-800 Hz and 1 V rms, and isconnected via the power amplifier 3 c and the switching unit 5 to thetest object 10 and the measuring resistor 6 optionally via connectorterminals (indicated by X in FIG. 1). More specifically, the waveformgenerator 3 is started by starting the timer (B) 1 g and uploading avalue corresponding to a sampling time t1. When the timer has counteddown to zero, an interrupt is generated which causes the CPU 1 a toretrieve/look up the value of sample no. 1 in a table stored in theprogram memory 1 b, the value being supplied to the D/A-converter 3 a.At the same time, the timer (B) 1 g is restarted and reloaded with thevalue of t1.

This process is repeated in connection with/after each interrupt oftimer (B) 1 g by retrieving the next sample in the program memory 1 band supplying it to the D/A-converter 3 a, thereby generating a seriesof discreet voltage levels representing the desired waveform plus thesampling frequency 1/t1. This signal is then sent to alow-pass/reconstruction filter 3 b, the function of which is to filterout the sampling frequency and any non-desirable frequency components,so that only the desired waveform remains. Before the waveform can beapplied to the test object 10, impedance matching has to be effected.This takes place in the power amplifier 3 c from which the waveform isrelayed to the test object 10 via relays in the switching unit 5.

The voltage across the test object 10 and the measuring resistor 6,respectively, is registered in the measuring amplifier 4. This iseffected by the CPU 1 a setting the relays 5 a and multiplexers 5 b inthe switching unit 5 so that the voltage across respectively the testobject 10 and the measuring resistor 6, which are connected in series,is switched to a respective adjustable amplifier 4 a, 4 b. The CPU setsthe amplifiers 4 a, 4 b to the lowest amplifying level. The signals arethen sent to rectifiers 4 c in which they are subjected to full-waverectification, following which they are each supplied to a level shifter4 e, which adapts the levels to the A/D converter 1 d. In thisamplifying and switching state, the CPU 1 a starts the A/D converter 1d, which together with the voltage reference 1 e via a software-basedpeak value detector returns the peak voltage of both signals. Usingthese peak values, the CPU 1 a selects/calculates an optimal amplifyinglevel for the adjustable amplifier of each channel and applies them. Inthese new amplifying states, the CPU 1 a again starts the A/D converter1 d, which together with the voltage reference 1 e via a firstsoftware-based peak value detector returns the peak voltage of bothsignals. Using these peak values, the CPU 1 a verifies that the optimalamplifying state for the adjustable amplifier of each channel has beenobtained. If this is not the case, i.e. if any one channel is overdriventhe CPU 1 a may reduce the amplifying level by one step and apply thesame. Alternatively, the signal across the measuring resistor can be solow that the CPU interprets this as if no test object were connected.Preferably, the maximum amplitude of the waveform generator 3 is alsoknown.

The input of the first zero-crossing detector is connected to the outputof the waveform generator 3. The output signal can be said to representthe phase displacement of the voltage across the test object 10. Thesecond zero-crossing detector is connected to the output of theadjustable amplifier adapted for the measuring resistor 6 and its outputsignal represents the phase displacement of the current through the testobject 10.

A measurement of I, Z or L is then performed. The measuring comprisesthe use of the first software-based peak value detector in order tocollect the first peak values of the first measuring data. Meanwhile thecollection of the first measuring data and during the rotation of therotor, the peak values may simultaneously be formed from the firstmeasuring data. Alternatively, the formation of the peak values from thefirst measuring data may be conducted after the collection of the firstmeasuring data has be finalised.

An initialization of the registration/memorizing of minimum and maximumvalues of I, Z and/or L is then performed.

A second software-based peak value detection is then carried out inorder to detect a number of min/max cycles in the waveform resultingfrom the rotor signature envelope. The second peak value detection maybe based on essentially the same software algorithm as for the firstpeak value detection, but differs in terms of the input data andwaveform processed. The input data for the second peak value detector isthe measurement result from one or more measuring cycles, i.e. outputdata from the first peak value detector. The waveform measured, on thebasis of which the min/max values are obtained, is the rotor signatureenvelope, which is of sinusoidal or other shape, which appears from theenvelope after a sufficiently large number of collected measurementresults.

The result from the second peak detection may then be used in thesubsequent determination of the spread or mean value of the measuringdata according to steps 205 ff and 305 ff.

Additionally, prior to performing the measurements above, the apparatuspreferably starts by an automatic change-over of measurement inputs forthe purpose of measuring any interference voltage level (Uemi) possiblyinduced in the motor due to external interference fields, if any. If thelevel is too high, it is displayed on the screen of the apparatus,thereby allowing the user to take different measures in an attempt toreduce the interference level, for example grounding the test object toearth, etc. Thus, the ability of the apparatus to determine excessiveinterference voltage levels (Uemi) is a highly advantageous feature,since an excessive interference voltage level causes erroneousmeasurement results.

If the interference level is sufficiently low, the apparatus proceeds,preferably automatically, by measuring and/or calculating the followingquantities:

Resistance (R), which is used to detect breakage in connectors orwindings, loose connections, contact resistance and direct shortcircuits.

Impedance (Z) and inductance (L), which are used in combination todetect the presence of different impurities in the windings. These maybe, for example, in the form of dust, moisture or charred insulation(due to overheating), which all cause small changes in the capacitanceof the winding being measured. In most cases, the capacitance increases,which causes a reduction of the impedance Z. Moreover, the capacitivereactance will have a greater influence on the impedance (Ohm's law),since the test signal applied has low amplitude and the capacitancevalue therefore is even more dominant.

In the case of insulation charred due to overheating, the capacitancemay instead decrease, thereby causing the impedance to increase in oneor more phases.

As mentioned above, of all the measurement quantities, the inductance Lis the one least likely to change due to a fault in the stator. Owing tothis “inertia” the measurement results for L can be used as a form ofreference or base line for comparison with changes in Z.

However, depending on the motor type the values of L and Z willunfortunately vary to different degrees between the phases. The reasonfor this variation is that the effect of the rotor position on therelative inductance between the rotor and the stator may be different ineach phase.

It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of theembodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for off-line testing of an electricmotor, the motor having at least one stator winding, and a rotorarranged along a rotation axis, the method comprises: applying an actest signal to the at least one stator winding; measuring an acamplitude of a response signal, related to a physical quantity of the atleast one stator winding, while the rotor is being rotated about therotation axis, the response signal resulting from the applying of thetest signal and the rotation of the rotor; determining amplitude maximafor the response signal; determining a mutual relationship between atleast a portion of the amplitude maxima; and providing, if the mutualrelationship deviates from a predetermined relationship, a signalindicating a fault in the rotor.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the mutual relationship corresponds to a spread of the at leasta portion of the amplitude maxima, and the deviation of the relationshipcorresponds to when the spread exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the mutual relationship correspondsto a pattern of the at least a portion of amplitude maxima, and thedeviation of the relationship corresponds to when the pattern deviatesfrom a predetermined pattern of the values of at least a portion of theamplitude maxima.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thephysical quantity is an inductance (L) of the stator winding.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the physical quantity is animpedance (Z) of the stator winding.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein the electric motor is a three-phase asynchronous motor.
 7. Amethod for off-line testing of an electric motor, the motor having astator with a first and a second stator windings, and a rotor arrangedalong a rotation axis, the method comprises: applying an ac test signalto the first and second stator windings; measuring an ac amplitude of afirst response signal, related to a physical quantity of the firststator winding, while the rotor is being rotated about the rotationaxis, the first response signal resulting from the applying of the firsttest signal and the rotation of the rotor; measuring an ac amplitude ofa second response signal, related to a physical quantity of the secondstator winding, while the rotor is being rotated about the rotationaxis, the second response signal resulting from the applying of thesecond test signal and the rotation of the rotor; forming a first meanvalue of the ac amplitude of the first response signal; forming a secondmean value of the ac amplitude of the second response signal;determining a mutual relationship between the first and second meanvalues; and providing, if the mutual relationship deviates from apredetermined relationship, a signal indicating a fault in the stator.8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mutual relationshipcorresponds to a spread of mean values, and the deviation of therelationship corresponds to when the spread exceeds a predeterminedthreshold.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mutualrelationship corresponds to a pattern of the mean values, and thedeviation of the relationship corresponds to when the pattern deviatesfrom a predetermined pattern of the mean values.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the physical quantity is an inductance ofa stator winding (L).
 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein thephysical quantity is an impedance of a stator winding (Z).
 12. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein the electric motor is a three-phaseasynchronous motor.
 13. An apparatus for off-line testing of an electricmotor, the motor having at least one stator winding, and a rotorarranged along a rotation axis, the apparatus comprises: a generator toapply an ac test signal to the at least one stator winding; a measuringdevice to measure an ac amplitude of a response signal, related to aphysical quantity of the at least one stator winding, while the rotor isbeing rotated about the rotation axis, the response signal resultingfrom the applying of the test signal and the rotation of the rotor; anamplitude detector to determine amplitude maxima for the responsesignal; a mutual relationship detector to determine a mutualrelationship between at least a portion of the amplitude maxima; and asignaling device to provide, if the mutual relationship deviates from apredetermined relationship, a signal indicating a fault in the rotor.14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the mutual relationshipcorresponds to a spread of the at least a portion of the amplitudemaxima, and the deviation of the relationship corresponds to when thespread exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein the mutual relationship corresponds to a pattern ofthe at least a portion of the amplitude maxima, and the deviation of therelationship corresponds to when the pattern deviates from apredetermined pattern of the values of the at least a portion of thesecond peak values.
 16. An apparatus for off-line testing of an electricmotor, the motor comprises having a stator with at least two statorwindings, and a rotor arranged along a rotation axis, the apparatuscomprises: a generator to apply an ac test signal to the first andsecond stator windings; a first response signal measuring device tomeasure an ac amplitude of a first response signal, related to aphysical quantity of the first stator winding, while the rotor is beingrotated about the rotation axis, the first response signal resultingfrom the applying of the first test signal and the rotation of therotor; a second response signal measuring device to measure an acamplitude of a second response signal, related to a physical quantity ofthe second stator winding, while the rotor is being rotated about therotation axis, the second response signal resulting from the applying ofthe second test signal and the rotation of the rotor; a first mean valueforming device to form a first mean value of the ac amplitude of thefirst response signal; a second mean value forming device to form asecond mean value of the ac amplitude of the second response signal; adetector to determine a mutual relationship between the first and secondmean values; and a signaling device to provide, if the mutualrelationship deviates from a predetermined relationship, a signalindicating a fault in the stator.
 17. The apparatus according to claim16, wherein the mutual relationship corresponds to a spread of meanvalues, and the deviation of the relationship corresponds to when thespread exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the mutual relationship corresponds to a pattern ofthe mean values, and the deviation of the relationship corresponds towhen the pattern deviates from a predetermined pattern of the meanvalues.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the physicalquantity is an inductance of a stator winding (L).
 20. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the physical quantity is an impedance ofthe stator winding (Z).